Analyzing Every Two-Start Pitcher For Week 4 (4/24 – 4/30)

Every Friday I look at every projected two-start pitcher for the week ahead and detail my thoughts about rolling with them on your roster. There are four tiers: Definitely, Probably, Questionable, Bench. Definitely Start features starters that are no doubters for the week ahead followed by Probably Start with pitchers that look like good plays but may create a hesitation or two. Players labeled as Questionable are for deeper leagues or have one-of-two outings that should be skipped. Pitchers under Bench should be avoided despite their two starts in the week ahead.

Definitely Start

Clayton Kershaw (@SFG, PHI)

Chris Archer (@BAL, @TOR)

Madison Bumgarner (LAD, SDP)

Julio Teheran (@NYM, @MIL)

Stephen Strasburg (@COL, NYM)

Dallas Keuchel (@CLE, OAK)

Zack Greinke (SDP, COL)

Probably Start

Robert Gsellman (ATL, @WSH) – Gsellman looked like the pitcher we expected him to be this week and I’m rolling with him regardless of the Nationals matchup.

Rick Porcello (NYY, CHC) – Even with the Cubs, I find it hard to consider benching him after looking good last time out.

Amir Garrett (@MIL, @STL) – I don’t believe in Garrett long term, though with the way he’s going right now it’s difficult to deny him two starts.

Felix Hernandez (@CLE, @DET) – A pair of difficult matchups for Felix, but it would be overkill to reconsider.

Francisco Liriano (@LAA, TBR) – Liriano looked locked in during his last two starts and the Angels/Rays are two solid plays.

Jason Vargas (@CHW, MIN) – With the way Vargas is going right now, it’s hard to deny him a pair of starts against weak teams. Don’t like this long term, though.

Marco Estrada (@STL, TBR) – Marco was able to take care of the Red Sox, hard to not trust him against the Cards and Rays now.

Questionable

Hyun-Jin Ryu (@SFG, PHI) – Ryu hasn’t had the easiest of opponents thus far and heading to AT&T Park + hosting the Phils could work out well in his favor.

Luis Severino (BAL, @BOS )- Yes, there’s a ton of risk here. Yes he could also give you 15+ Ks across both starts.

JC Ramirez (OAK, @TEX) – It’s hard not taking a flier here with his plus velocity and breaking balls that worked exceptionally well against the Astros.

Vince Velasquez (@LAD, MIA) – VV is two starts removed from hint at his 2016 strikeout numbers and it could come back against the Dodgers/Marlins while the risk of disappointing outings is apparent.

Joe Ross (@COL, NYM) – A date in Coors is never welcome, though he could excel against the Mets.

Martin Perez (LAA, MIN) – I’m not a fan of Perez overall, but he gets two easy matchups that could work in his favor.

Kendall Graveman (@HOU, @LAA) – DLH is a real thing, which makes me cautious about his first start back against the Astros. Match that with concerning peripherals and a lack of love for his secondary pitches and this isn’t nearly as safe as it should be.

Michael Wacha (CIN, TOR) – It’s been ten years since the Reds are a scarier offense than the Jays and there’s clear risk here given Wacha’s inconsistencies.

Wei-Yin Chen (@PHI, PIT) – Chen is on the border of these two bottom tiers as he gets the best matchups for the week ahead. I’m not sure I believe he can command his heater well enough through two consecutive starts, but you can do worse if you really need two starts.

Bench

Jordan Zimmermann (CHW, SEA) – We are so far away from trusting Zim with two starts.

Josh Tomlin (HOU, SEA) – Tomlin used to be skilled at beating his peripherals. Not anymore.

Chris Rusin (@ARI, WSH) – Rusin in Coors and Coors-lite is not a recipe for success.

Brett Anderson (@BOS, @PIT) – I think that Pittsburgh start could be beneficial, though it’s not worth enduring a night against the Sawx.

Chad Kuhl (CHC, @MIA) – There may be times when Kuhl is a stream. These aren’t those times.

Clayton Richard (@ARI, @SFG) – Sure, Clayton has been a surprise so far but don’t expect it to last, especially against the Diamondbacks in Arizona.

Jhoulys Chacin (@ARI, @SFG) – It was a great start from Chacin last time out. One in a million, you could say.

Matt Cain (LAD, SDP) – It’s not a good idea to have faith in Cain.

Matt Garza (ATL, CIN) – Garza is returning from the DL, which means a DLH for the Braves and just a bad matchup for the Reds.

Miguel Gonzalez (KCR, @DET) – Miguel did great things against the Yankees. It wouldn’t be wise to expect that with any sort of regularity.

Patrick Corbin (SDP, COL) – Even if he gets the Padres, I need a bigger reward for risking an outing against the Rockies.

Phil Hughes (@KCR, @TEX) – Hughes and Texas don’t mix. Well, he was born there, but you get what I mean.

Ricky Nolasco (TOR, @TEX) – I haven’t been a Nolasco fan in…2008? 2013? Point is, not now.

Tyler Anderson (@ARI, WSH) – He finally had a good outing this year, though that momentum will be hard to carry forward heading to Coors-Lite and Coors for the Nationals.

Ubaldo Jimenez (TBR, @NYY) – Sure, he did well against the Reds last time out. There’s no way I’m banking on that continuing.